Elizabeth was in a relationship where her partner beat her daily. She suffered deeply at his hand for years because she was too terrified to reach out and get help.
But Elizabeth is not alone.
Almost 20 people per minute experience domestic violence.
1 in 4 women experience physical violence daily.
Crisis centers receive around 20,000 calls per day.
USAToday reported that if we went one week without these particular crimes, then 487,500,000 women would not be subjected to domestic violence.
That was before the mental stress of job loss, quarantine, and the Covid-19 outbreak. Now, Google reports a 75% increase in online searches for help with domestic violence. In countries around the world, the number of women dying is sharply rising.
Women are suffering more than ever right now and they have no way of getting help because of lockdowns and there being no time to “get away”.
And one thing that breaks our hearts is knowing so many women suffer daily abuse and/or violence at the hands of intimate partners.
That’s why one of our most treasured causes is Women Helping Women.
They focus crisis intervention and prevention advocacy on three areas of gender-based violence: sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking.
And they understand the sensitivity with which these things must be handled.
That’s why we want you to understand that if you are subject to any sort of abuse, assault, violence, especially during this time, there is help.
Women Helping Women is an organization based in Ohio. They were of direct help to Jaiya, her mother and sister in a time of deep need.
They have resources to help you if you are in trouble.
And also desperately need your help!
You can donate today at www.womenhelpingwomen.org
We would love to have you help us support those who are in this very delicate time in our history. Our support means that those who are struggling can feel a little less scared, a little less alone. A little stronger in their fight to find their safety and freedom.
Women Helping Women offers 24-hour support, 24-hour hospital accompaniment, court and law enforcement advocacy, therapy, individual crisis intervention, corporate training, and more. They are an inclusive organization and are sensitive to the needs of the LGBTQ community.
Last year, they assisted in over 21,300 crisis intervention services and trained over 2000 people to be advocates for victims of Gender-Based Violence.
It means a lot to us that they are able to help those that need them so much.
A word of support for the other side of the story
We know that things are hard. So, if you find yourself to be the other side of the story, we’d like you to know that you can get help.
If you find yourself under increasing pressure during this time of shelter in place, or at any time, before you raise your hand, before you utter words that damage as deeply as a fist, we’d like you take a moment to pause. Breathe deep. And seek help.
You, too, are not alone in this.
There are a couple of outlets where one could turn to get the help they need to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from harm, safe from pain:
Crisis Text Line
Offers free connection to a crisis counsellor so when you find yourself stepping out of control, you can get help before someone gets hurt.
SAMHSA
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters like Covid-19.
This is a hard time for all of us.
And if you are among the fortunate and have a good partner, show them deep gratitude. Then, join us in extending a hand to those who are not as lucky as you.
We wish all health, happiness, safety, and above all…deep, soul-moving pleasure…as it is your birthright, no matter who you are.
